An Exclusive Look Inside Shay Mitchell's Breathtaking New Office
Only a year after Freeform’s teen drama series Pretty Little Liars came to an end, actress Shay Mitchell, who played Emily in the show, has already set off on a new and exciting venture. Keeping things in the Warner Bros. family, Mitchell signed a deal with Warner Brothers TV to develop both scripted and non-scripted programming by means of her new production company, Amore & Vita. In addition to the WBTV deal, Mitchell signed off on a talent holding deal as an actress, and will be starring in the new Lifetime psychological thriller, You. At this point it’s safe to say that the Canadian-born actress is making considerable strides in her career as she starts a new chapter in her life.
With this new undertaking comes an equally thrilling project (to us design nerds, at least): the renovation of her Amore & Vita headquarters, which includes a full reception area and three private offices. The considerable square footage and blank-slate approach afforded a great starting point in the redesign, which was carried out by Decorist Elite Designer Stefani Stein and Creative Director Jessica McCarthy. The goal: a “light and airy workspace that was totally unique,” blending Mitchell’s feminine sensibility with a modern edge. The furniture, provided by Cost Plus World Market , incorporated velvet glam accents and a relaxing palette of neutrals and purples that feel equal parts beautiful and focused.
At the start of the project, designer Stefani Stein found inspiration not from the space itself, but instead, those who would inhabit it. “I’m inspired by unique people. Just like the designs, people are individuals and I love getting to know them…the nuances of their taste and the emotion that they want the space to impart,” Stein explains. And with a client like Shay Mitchell, whose taste feels like a modern twist on old Hollywood glam, creating a personalized space was just as much a personal bonding as it was a professional exchange.
This isn’t to say that the star simply got to know her designers and left them to it. After recently renovating her own home, Mitchell has learned a lot from the process. “[I’ve] learned that your first instinct about a design detail is usually right,” she says. “I have always enjoyed the final product more when I really search for the right pieces rather than just filling the space.” With that precept in mind, every corner of the office was designed with a meticulous eye and a deep intentionality, that still felt effortless and natural. Think tufted velvet arm chairs, custom mural wallpaper, and a beautiful assortment of vintage finds.
Though the offices were designed from scratch, Mitchell wanted the space to reflect the rich history of the Warner Brothers studios, weaving in elements that kept true to the building’s roots. “I wanted to be able to use some of that [history] to inspire our offices,” Mitchell explains. From the Casablanca-esq neon sign (a movie that was filmed on the WB lot) to the brass and velvet accents, the space embraces vintage glamour that’s authentic yet modern. To balance old with new, Stein says that she “used a balance of organic materials and linens…which kept the room light, fresh and current.” The design team maintained a thread of consistency by sticking to complementary materials and using them throughout the space, while still honoring the stylistic preferences of each team member. While Mitchell’s more glamorous side was played out in her personal office, the rest of the space had a more neutral approach. As Stein puts it, “Same movie, different acts.”
And while the acts may be different, the storyline must make sense. “Even the thought of designing one room feels like a big task, but trying to cohesively design four different spaces…felt a little overwhelming,” Mitchell explains.
Her key to success: communication, mood-boarding, and not stopping “until everything was just right.” From sending the designers random pieces of furniture, to tagging them in Instagram posts, Mitchell was never short of ideas or inpso, and the final product speaks for itself.
The Amore & Vita offices feel welcoming, productive, and impressively chic–a place where you could hold important meetings, throw a glamorous party, and take a restful nap–all at once (and if that’s not perfection, we don’t know what is).
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